Launch of Sigh the Beloved Country

Bongani Madondo, aged 45, is a curator, amateur filmmaker and writer. He is author of the book ‘’Sigh the Beloved Country.’’ He has extensively written on subjects centring on art, rock and roll. His written other books such as Hot Type: Artists, Icons and God-Figurines, and I’m Not Your Weekend Special: The Art, Life and Politics of Brenda Fassie. Suffice to say, he is the first Black South African writer to write about Kwaito music. Madondo said at a book launch in Grahamstown yesterday, that he was motivated to write about kwaito music because of the distinctiveness of the genre and that he wanted to be the first black writer to give an account of Kwaito music. ’’The growing popularity of kwaito music was rapid in the 1990’s and l wanted to be the first to tell the story as an indigenous African writer, often such stories are told by white people for black people, which l did not want to happen because as a black person, l felt duty bound to give a detailed account of the uniqueness of kwaito music as a genre that associates with African identity,’’said Madondo. Interestingly, as a journalist, he treats interviews as a ‘ritual’ which he finds boring and less thought provoking. Madondo believes that people do not often tell their full version of their stories because the spaces they engage in, tend to dictate what they are compelled to say. As a result, they engage in performance in the way they tell their narratives. In turn, this influences the way their views are constructed and represented in their various accounts. Madondo ‘s views resonates with Goffman(1969), who is of the view that individuals engage in performance on the front stage as what they portray does not necessarily reflect who they are because of the way they express themselves and the positions they hold out of their personal convictions.He is of the view, that the reason why journalists end up with incomplete articles is because of the stiff deadlines they need to adhere to, which compromises the quality of interviews as they are not able to get the best out of their interviews. However, he prefers a more ethnographic approach that allows a writer to spend more time with their subjects to learn more about them in different spaces, only then can views that truly reflect their accounts be extracted and reflected in various articles. Madondo argues for this position because it enrichens histories and accounts that people are able to tell. Madondo highlights capitalism and race in his book as problematic and calls for an immediate panacea in order to have a better society. He also points out that some of the models proposed by some of Africa’s great thinkers and writers such as Fanon, Kwame Nkrumah among others, are old and not applicable in this age because their ideals and proposed solutions, admittedly, are not feasible because they do not adequately contribute to reformation of the system neither do they offer better solutions that can address the magnitude of societal problems in this era. He argues that structural concerns such as capitalism and its systemic problems that continue to perpetuate inequality in society are based on ‘whiteness’ and ‘blackness.’ Capitalism privileges ‘whiteness’ over ‘blackness’ because of the structures that allow this phenomena to prevail, which has resulted in very uncomfortable tensions. Madondo stresses that 'whiteness' also involves 'blackness' because its origins are as a result of the complex relations that have led to white domination over blacks. Madondo is also of the view that ‘whiteness’ needs to be dealt with by whites themselves and ‘blackness’ also needs to be dealt with by black themselves because none of the concepts are ideal for societal progression. Rhodes University Media Studies Professor Jeanne Prinsloo posits that people are not born racist, it is the structures that they are socialised into that naturalises racism and makes them racists. And Philosopher Stuart Hall postulates that race is a social marker that orders society. However, Hall emphasis is centred on race creating orderliness through differentiation and not necessarily creating racism that embraces discriminatory tendencies such as apartheid, which has been practised and perpetuated through colonialism over a historic times. Recounting Madondo’s views, it has to take the will of the people to reform capitalism. Clearly, capitalism is not an ideal model that benefits society because of it's degree of alienation in terms of the ‘have nots’ as Karl Marx refers to them. It clearly perpetuates a class system that culminates in domination, and falls short of equality. As long as there is no willingness to deal with capitalism and race, these ills will remain thorny issues in society. Therefore, there is need for continued scholarly engagement that will seek to address and contribute to social change in society.

IAPRI 2016 BUDGET ANALYSIS

HAPPY MULOLANI Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) commends government’s efforts to boost the agricultural sector in its 2016 budget. Researcher and Public Policy and Expenditure Expert Auckland Kuteya in his 2016 budget analysis held at Taj Pamodzi hotel in Lusaka recently, says the plans to increase irrigation by 5,000ha is a positive stride. Mr Kuteya further adds that the implementation of e-voucher to 480,000 small- scale farmers and the establishment of additional livestock breeding centres will also boost the agricultural development and contribute to the growth of the economy. Mr Kuteya, however points out that despite Fisheries being allocated K5million in this year’s budget, who will lead the development of these acqua parks in order to ensure they remain sustainable. ‘’There is a drop of all agriculture research stations, fisheries research, and livestock development. Looking at the agricultural budget, it is not putting emphasis on long-term productive investments, as they have potential to give high pay offs though it takes time to achieve,’’ he said. He also alludes to the fact that there is need to assess the pay offs in rural areas. While IAPRI Researcher Dr Chapota alludes to the fact that the focus has been more on short-term benefits, while resources are scarce. It is also clear that Food Reserve Agency (FRA) & Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) are difficult programmes, what is needed is to try to make them better and reduce FRA activities. ‘’Our emphasis goes to input support, FISP & FRA, have high political pay offs, in terms of sustained growth, which is not clear in rural areas, adding that these are some of the under-appreciated facts, we need to shift to productive areas,’’ says Dr Chapota. He points out that what is needed is to crowd in private sector participation in these activities to ensure the agricultural sector grows. ‘’We would want, when you change mechanism, it crowds in the private sector and ensures government participation, ‘’he said. Dr Chapota also says trade is good as along as it has tangible benefits, therefore, there is need to be creative and stop putting pressure on the Minister of Agriculture to close the borders as it has diverse opportunities. IAPRI Researcher Ballad Zulu is of the view that, if investment in agricultural production, research and development is enhanced, there will be increased production in smallholder production. And Minister of Agriculture Given Lubinda encourages research institutions to give insights on various agriculture interventions to boost the agriculture sector. He revealed that government was concerned that farmers could not even afford the cost of fertiliser on the market hence the relevance of FISP to ensure production does not become static. ‘’FISP has contributed to the bumper harvest in the past year, but at a what cost,’’says Mr Lubinda. He reiterated government’s commitment to the e-voucher, adding that the funds allocated this year is the same last as year. Mr Lubinda pointed out that this year, the e-voucher will target 1,000,000 beneficiaries and it is hoped this will assist in alleviating hunger. Mr Lubinda says that strategic reserves will be held while allowing the private sector to also play a key role in marketing of farmers maize.

LIVESTOCK TEAM BUILDING IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE

By HAPPY MULOLANI COY Makaya, is a small-scale livestock farmer in Kalomo in Chief Sipatunyana’s area, and embarked on farming in 2003. When Makaya started his agricultural activities, he mainly focussed on crops such as maize, sunflower, and groundnuts. However, in 2005 when he joined Tusole Dapha cooperative society, he learnt how to diversify and started pig rearing, which he is still seriously engaged in. Mr Makaya was elected as chairperson of Tusole Dapha cooperative society after serving as a member for one year, a position he holds todate. The cooperative society has a membership of 20 and its members engage in rearing small livestock, which include goats, village chickens and pigs. He earns an income from selling his pigs when they are ready for market consumption but what he lacks is processing livestock into finished products that would fetch more on the market. He also bemoans the high level of middlemen that are ripping off livestock farmers of their profits, thus discouraging other livestock farmers. Mr Makaya also reveals that the cost of feed is quite high thereby affecting the profits he makes from the sales of his pigs. Most of the pigs and small livestock are bought by Falls Meat in Livingstone as that is the nearest buyer that purchases livestock products in bulk. It is worth noting that livestock production is one of the interventions that livestock farmers have for sometime been encouraged to engage in despite the myriad of challenges they have encountered. Given this backdrop, livestock production with its immense potential in Southern Province, needs to get to another level by enhancing processing and ultimately, value addition if farmers are to earn marginal profit returns for their self-sustenance. In this vein, a Team building workshop was recently organised in Choma with various value chain actors that need to co-exist in the livestock sector and also come up with strategies that will enhance the livestock farmers’ economic well-being. The outcomes of the meeting were cardinal in assisting farmers identify established markets and the need for farmers to see value in their investment in the livestock sector. In light of this, various players and actors need to identify productivity challenges that have seen farmers remain static for sometime now, if the sector is to progress to another level. Coupled with that, there is need to take stock of the status of market linkages in the livestock sector and encourage team building and networking in exploring the market. Mochipapa Research Station Principal Livestock Research Officer Inambao Saeli, says the involvement of government in marketing of livestock is cardinal if the livestock sector has to grow at a faster rate. Mr Saeli points out that the livestock sector has been growing at a slow rate due to various challenges. He explains that poor nutrition has contributed to the low productivity especially goats and indigenous chickens, noting that if the capacity of these enterprises has to be built and contribute to increased income, low productivity has to be tackled, through the use of sustainable feeding systems. Mr Saeli observes that low productivity has resulted in insignificant returns, noting that nutrition of livestock is one key factor that has to be improved if farmers are to benefit. He reveals that the research institution intends to train 18,000 farmers countrywide in farmer groups and cooperatives on sustainable feeding systems. He says presently, the livestock sector production levels are below five million, hence the need to strategise in order for the sector to grow to another level. Southern Province Provincial Agricultural Coordinator Max Choombe says despite the high prevalence of livestock in the Province, very few farmers are selling processed meat and other livestock products. Dr Choombe points out that livestock production has many benefits which farmers need to aggressively take advantage of, if they are to attain tangible benefits. He explains that the production of livestock is quite prolific in the province and encourages farmers to venture in livestock production, given that government has given policy direction to boost the livestock sector and tap into opportunities that present themselves in the sector. Dr Choombe calls on farmers to add value to their livestock products, in order to derive tangible profits than selling their livestock with live weight, which is not as profitable as processed livestock products. He further calls for strengthened information centres, pertaining to the various livestock grading system and value addition as well as processing, that may help livestock farmers become better enlightened and knowledgeable in their enterprises. And Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme Manager Kwibisa Liywalii points out that the programme interventions are meant to provide a team of various key players in the value chain ranging from producers, buyers, consumers and developing the various avenues of markets. ‘’The aim is to enhance and develop markets to ensure small livestock and beef, is developed further, which is another intervention plan being supported by the Zambian government through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). What is required is to move away from the selling of livestock that is not processed in order for farmers to attain higher profits,’’ says Mr Liywalii. He further says farmers have undergone various capacity building in the livestock sector hence the need to translate these trainings into practical approaches meant to attain tangible results and also enhance appropriate linkages. Consultant on Livestock Windu Matoka is of the view that more awareness needs to be created about the importance of bulking centres and the role these centres will play in marketing and also encourage cooperatives develop business models that will help them upscale their production levels. Mr Matoka observes that once a business model is in effect, key players and actors in the value chain will be more focussed and structured, while also promoting the bulking centre concept. ‘’Therefore, actors need to assist in value addition, which includes standardising livestock products in a bid to commercialise farmers approach, only then, will farmers graduate to another level in the livestock sector,’’ says Mr Matoka. Small Livestock Association of Zambia (SLAZ) Secretary General Elias Nkhuwa says there is need to support livestock farmers in their progression. ‘’Partnerships need to be fostered and also come up with modalities that will be done in a right way with government’s direction and support,’’ says Mr Nkhuwa. He also reiterates the need to adopt the bulking centre business model in ensuring farmers’ livestock is placed at strategic points for easy trade and higher bargaining power for higher prices as livestock products can be sold in bulk through farmer groups and cooperatives. He disclosed that SLAZ has presently an organised market for the supply of livestock in Saudi Arabia, with very good pricing and it is worth noting that, SLAZ will closely work with government in facilitating efforts in cementing such market linkages. ‘’Per animal in Saudi Arabia is fetching $400 and the requested target supply is 10,000 animals per month,’’ says Mr Nkhuwa. He pointed out that presently SLAZ receives between 200 and 400 livestock per day, of which 95percent of livestock is from Southern province. Mr Nkhuwa points out that Zambia may have a good market but the prices are not lucrative for the farmers taking into account the transportation and storage costs farmers incur, which overshadow their profits. Another factor, Mr Nkhuwa alludes to, are middlemen, who cause distractions in the value chain by dictating low pricing that affects farmer groups, because it deprives the farmers of the value derived from livestock sales. National Union of Small-Scale Farmers in Zambia Director Fidelis Kayula is of the view that there is need to work closely with SLAZ and other partners in a quest to strengthen team building if farmers’ plights are to be addressed. Mr Kayula also says eliminating middlemen in the value chain, will better the economic well-being of livestock farmers. He explains that SLAZ needs to be well organised and this can only be attained through enhanced collaboration. ‘’Some of the complaints alluded to are low quality of animals, and quantities, noting that the supply of livestock is not consistent resulting in the livestock sector being vulnerable,’’ says Mr Kayula. Thus, small-scale famers need to graduate into commercial farmers and avoid remaining static. Therefore, the ultimate goal should be for farmers to gain more profits and also have increased value addition in the livestock sector. In this vein, there is need to have a more focussed and organised team of players and actors boosting the value chain in order to contribute towards increased income and poverty alleviation. In retrospect, business models must be up scaled in order to expand and replicate these models countrywide, if the value chain is to be developed further. In a nutshell, inculcating a business culture in livestock farmers will be beneficial to value chain players, which include producers, buyers, consumers, traders and others. Ultimately, these various players and actors need to be focussed and strategic in the value chain.